A THUG kicked a mother in the face as she bent down to pick up shopping that had fallen out of her baby’s buggy.

The man pretended to help her before carrying out the vicious attack and running away with a bag containing food and tobacco.

The 32-year-old victim was with her four young children at the time. She was left shaken and with several bruises.

The attacker is white, in his mid 20s and had a “patchy beard”. He was wearing a black baseball cap, ripped green t-shirt, a cream jacket, dark jeans and dirty white trainers. He smelt strongly of alcohol and body odour.

The attack and robbery happened in North Street, Horsham, shortly before 5pm yesterday.

Police are urging anyone who saw what happened or who noticed to contact Sussex Police online or phone 101, quoting serial 1132 of 22/05.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, either online or by phoning 0800 555 111.